Pregnancy is such an exciting and scary time for a woman. When that plus sign shows up on the stick, a woman's life will be forever changed. Get the facts you need to stay calm and happy throughout your pregnancy, so you'll feel confident that you're going to be a great mom.
Yipee, I'm Pregnant! Now What?
- > Am I Really Pregnant? Normal Symptoms
- > Common Pregnancy Check-ups and Tests
- > Healthy Pregnancy Exercises
- > Feeling Icky? Sooth that Morning Sickness
- > Special Section for Mothers Over 35
- > Typical Pregnancy Discomforts
Fun Pregnancy Moments
- > Fun Myths: Predicting a Baby's Gender
- > Tips for Picking a Baby Name
- > Top 10 Baby Boy Names
- > Top 10 Baby Girl Names
- > Top 10 Pregnancy Myths
- > Sex During Pregnancy
Pregnancy "No No's" & Warning Signs
- > Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy
- > Food During Pregnancy - List of No No's
- > These Medicines and Pregnancy Don't Mix
- > Should I Call a Doctor? Warning Signs
- > Signs and Risk Factors for Miscarriages
- > Signs and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
Getting Prepared for Baby's Arrival
Childbirth Options
Most people are familiar with the common child birth scene shown on TV. Woman in hospital... Doctor, standing close, ready to catch baby... woman pushing and sometimes "screaming" (over acting), husband fainting and loud cries fill the room as baby is born. There are actually several childbirth options you can choose from, not just the media version. To know all of your choices we recommend that you talk with your Doctor. Here's our list of ten birthing options.
- Natural Birth - This means having the baby the natural way without pain meds or labor inducers.
- Cesarean - This refers to having the baby surgically removed. Meds are definitely given during this procedure.
- Epidural - A needle would be inserted into the spinal cord and an IV drip, of very strong pain medication, is administered into the mother's body. This numbs the mother from the waist down so labor and birth is, pretty much, pain free.
- Water Birth - The expectant mother will sit in shallow water and give birth to her baby underwater.
- Home Birth - A woman can choose to have her baby in the comfort of her own home with a Doula or Midwife present.
- Silent Birth - Mums the word during this birth. Either everyone in the room is to remain silent as the baby is born or everyone but mom has to keep quiet.
- Birth in a Birthing Center - This refers to having the baby in a non-hospital facility that has bedrooms where Baby is born and Midwives to assist with the birth. These births are generally natural births.
- Free-Standing Birth - Get a little help from gravity. A mother can have her baby while she's standing upright, usually supporting herself by holding onto a bar. This is generally a natural birth.
- Hypnobirth - Mom will have to prepare for this during pregnancy by learning some self hypnosis tricks. Then, while giving birth, mom uses self hypnosis to ease labor aches and birthing pains.
- Planned Birth - A mom can schedule her baby's birth date, go into the hospital on that day and get a Pitosin drip to trigger labor by medication. This is usually only advised for moms that are past their due date or for women carrying large babies.
